Conditions Similar to Fibromyalgia
Conditions other than fibromyalgia can reveal themselves during the clinical assessment. These may include endocrine disorders (hypothyroidism), rheumatic diseases (early inflammatory arthritis or polymyalgia rheumatica), neurological diseases (myopathy or multiple sclerosis), or myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
For some people, additional, targeted examinations, such as a sleep study or a structured psychological evaluation, may be useful to confirm the diagnosis.
Distinctions and Cumulative Diagnostics
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is accompanied by greater fatigue, post-exertion malaise, more significant cognitive impairment, heart problems, and immune system dysfunction.
The same person may experience symptoms of both fibromyalgia and ME/CFS. Studies have shown that 75% of people with ME/CFS also have fibromyalgia. However, fewer people with FM have ME/CFS.